St. Landry democrat., 1887-09-24
GENERAL NICHOLS BEFORE THE
PEOPLE.

General Nichols supporters have
avery reason to be satisfied with the
enthusiasm which has been aroused By
the canvass which be Is making IN per
snn throughout this State. Wherever
be goes he finds himself among friends
and admirers. He belongs to Loulsi-
ma family. His name was 1llustrlous
here before he himself had added to Its
renown the glory of those achievements
which have made him pre'emlnent
among the sons of his State. Beyond
the narrow sphere of professional
politics. there has never been any
question of the immense value OF
the service which he rendered to
the commonwealth at the most crltl-
ral juncture of its history, and the peo-
pie have no love for those who would
rob him of the laurels that he won
either amid the iron hail Of battle or
IS the leader of his party at time
when only a wonderful combination or
sagacity and courage. of foresight and
firmness, could have secured success.
General Nichols missing arm and leg
are not more convincing as proofs Of MS
military service than is the supremacy
Of the Democratic party IN Louisiana TO-
DAY as evidence of his political service.
When General Nichols appears before
the people in the canvass he tells the
story of his administration IN plaln'
straightforward way. without e1aggera-
ton and without the slightest attempt
at rhetorical display; but there Is an
eloquence IN the facts of his history
that speaks for him with an effect
which no studied oratory could
produce. Simplicity, modessy. SIN
cerlty, candor, are conspicuous traits
IN the character of the man. and
together they make up an Impressive
and powerful personality. General
Nichols veraclty is as unimpeachaole
as his courage, and his every usterance
inspires confidence. Such man IL al
WAYS very formidable on the stump,
and 1t is impossible to defeat hum IN q
fair trial Of popular strength.
In undertaking to make personal
canvass of the State. General NICHOLS
has taken an honest and manly course.
He has taken step which renders l t
imnossible for him to evade or conceal
ANYTHING from the people. He states
his facts clearly, he makes his charges
openly, face to face alike with trend
and foe. This plan IS as wise as IL Is
brave. 1t puts SANDER to death by
dragging it into the light. General
Nichols by giving his opponents AL OPP
portunity to question him IN regard 10
ANYTHING they may consider question
able in his record. at the same time Sc
cures for himself the opportunity OF
responding with a prompt and public
reply.
After a long and industrious study OF
General Nichols public career MS
enemies have failed to find 1t vulnera-
BE at any vital point. A man ensfeiy
djsinterested and patrioae can nave
nothing to be ashamed Of, and where
any matter of mere policy is concerned
he can safely trust his case to the
candid Judgment of the masses VINO
know that in all essential principles he
is sound to the core, and that II he
has aver made a mistake he has
made it in good faith, and
with an eye single to the honor and
prosperity of his State. General
Nichols enemies have attempted to
make CAPITAL out of the fact that he
supported Mr.. Carleton Hunt for Con-
gress in the campaign of 1884, and that
in so doing he acted as a bolter and
| against his party in the First Congress
sional District. He was questioned in
regard to that matter the other day in
Opelousas, and he replied to
the charge on the spot. In
regard to that matter we wish
some evidence in confirmation of Gen.
eral Nichols reply, and which he did
mot have before him at the time-ey1-
Ildenee Of which he was cogpizants ~.